DLA Piper has added Sherlyn Lau, a leading IPO and Equity Capital Markets partner, as its APAC Capital Markets and Corporate Finance Head in its Hong Kong office. Joining from Sidley Austin where she served as Deputy Head of its multidisciplinary China Corporate and Finance practice, Lau comes with a team of 12 experienced capital markets practitioners. She and her team join the firm’s Asia Corporate practice and the Equity Capital Markets practice in Greater China. Lau is one of the most respected equity capital markets lawyers in Hong Kong, bringing two decades of experience advising on Hong Kong IPOs, M&A, secondary equity fundraisings, listing rules compliance and pre-IPO private placements. She has led numerous complex, high profile and first-of-its-kind transactions across multiple sectors, including life sciences and biotech, emerging technology, and mining and resources. Her client base spans leading Chinese and international investment banks, as well as a significant number of Hong Kong–listed companies and those in the process of being listed. Her arrival, together with her team, will bolster the firm’s existing in-depth understanding of the Hong Kong and Mainland China capital markets and their regulatory and commercial...

Ashurst has welcomed back Gareth Hughes as a partner in its Hong Kong dispute resolution practice from US firm Debevoise & Plimpton, marking a return for the senior litigator who previously led Ashurst’s Asia disputes team. Hughes was previously a partner at Ashurst from 2011 to October 2018, and headed the dispute resolution practice in Asia. With over 25 years of experience in Asia, he focuses on major commercial litigation, international arbitration and regulatory defence matters. He advises major corporates, financial institutions and high net worth individuals on complex commercial disputes with cross-border dimensions. Hughes’ work includes proceedings before courts and arbitral institutions, including arbitrations under the HKIAC, LCIA, SIAC, CIETAC, UNCITRAL and ICC rules. He also frequently advises on internal and regulatory investigations involving Hong Kong regulators, including the Securities and Futures Commission and the Monetary Authority. Before joining Ashurst for his first stint, he was a partner at Simmons &...

RPC has added Ankit Goyal as a Partner in its Singapore office, where it operates joint law venture RPC Premier Law, further strengthening its disputes capability across Asia, accelerating the expansion of its international arbitration practice, as well as the development of its India Desk. Goyal joins from Allen & Gledhill with a focus on international arbitration and cross-border dispute resolution in Asia. He has a particular expertise in India-related disputes, and is an advocate of the Indian Bar. Goyal will lead the expansion of the firm’s India practice, driving growth in complex India-related matters, elevating client service, and deepening market engagement across key sectors. His arrival will also bolster the firm’s rapidly growing International Arbitration practice. With extensive experience acting as counsel under the rules of major arbitral institutions, including the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Goyal has also previously served as Head (South Asia) and Counsel at the SIAC, where he supervised approximately 150 arbitrations. He has over 20 years of experience acting for clients in tech, media, IP and financial services, and has coordinated complex commercial litigations across the Asia Pacific region, aligning with the firm’s TME and Financial Sectors and award-winning Commercial Disputes...

Ontier has added Lojayne Shaheen, reinforcing its strategic commitment to the Middle East, and further consolidating International Arbitration as one of the firm’s key pillars for growth. Shaheen brings extensive experience in dispute resolution and international arbitration, developed throughout her professional career in Europe, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. She joins from Freshfields, where she worked in the firm’s Riyadh office, gaining in-depth knowledge of the Saudi legal landscape and the dynamics of international business in the region. Her appointment strengthens the firm’s Middle East strategy, led by Middle East Desk Director Kamal Khashoggi, and advances the firm’s international growth plan. Shaheen will work closely with Khashoggi to drive and consolidate the firm’s Middle East strategy. Both will serve as the partners representing Ontier in Saudi Arabia, jointly leading the development of the firm’s regional strategy, and establishing a long-term presence in the region. At the same time, Shaheen will play an active role in the growth of the International Arbitration practice led by Mercedes Romero, in close collaboration with the firm’s London office led by Claire Morel de Westgaver, also a leading International Arbitration...

K&L Gates has added Guiping Lu as a capital markets partner in its Hong Kong office. Lu previously served as a partner with K&L Gates from 2019 to 2021, and rejoins the firm from the Hong Kong office of Mayer Brown with counsel April Liu. Lu focuses his practice on international debt and equity capital markets transactions. He represents underwriters, issuers and investors in high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings, convertible bonds, medium-term note programs, and a broad range of liability management transactions. He also advises investment banks and issuers on equity offerings, including Hong Kong IPOs with Rule 144A tranches. Further, Lu advises clients on cross-border M&A, venture capital, and pre-IPO financings, as well as US securities law...